ierre are amusing when one considers that the majority of Americans are opposed to the NRA’s stance when it comes to waiting periods and assault rifles. However, despite the majority of polls showing this difference of opinion, the NRA remains more favored by Americans than groups in favor of gun control “A USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll in March found 55$ view the NRA favorably vs. 32% unfavorably. That’s a better favorable-unfavorable ratio than Handgun Control, Inc. had in the same poll” (Cauchon, 1994, 2). The reason for the popularity of the NRA has everything to do with the effectiveness of the political lobby which has one of the strongest and most developed grass-roots organizations ever created. The NRA’s new guard took power in 1991. At that time board members designed a new strategy in contrast to the old NRA strategy and focus. This strategy, as outlined below, includes most of the reasons why the NRA is so effective in today’s political arena:
Boost Membership: Since 1991, membership has climbed from 2.4 million to a record 3.4 million.
Raise Revenue: NRA revenues will grow from $84 million to an estimated $132 in 1994.
Change Strategy: The new NRA tries to attract members ‘based on belief in the cause.’ It uses fewer gimmicks. Its sales pitch: Join the NRA or lose your gun.
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